Chapter 15.40
PUBLIC WORKS CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS

Sections:

15.40.010    Title.

15.40.020    Purpose and applicability.

15.40.030    Standard specifications.

15.40.040    Streets and sidewalks—Classifications.

15.40.050    Streets and sidewalks—Required plans.

15.40.070    Storm sewers.

15.40.080    Streets and sidewalks—Cuts and restoration standards.

15.40.090    Streets and rights-of-way—Design approval required.

15.40.100    Repealed.

15.40.010 Title.

The ordinance codified in this chapter shall be known as the public works construction standards ordinance of the city of Sedro-Woolley. (Ord. 952 § 1, 1981)

15.40.020 Purpose and applicability.

The purpose of this chapter is to provide minimum standards for the construction of public works of the city, including streets, sidewalks, and storm mains. The provisions of this chapter shall apply to new construction of and substantial improvements to such public works. (Ord. 952 § 2, 1981)

15.40.030 Standard specifications.

A.    The city will plan for, design, construct, operate and maintain an appropriate and integrated transportation system that will meet the needs of motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, wheelchair users, transit vehicles and riders, freight haulers, emergency responders, and residents of all ages and abilities, in accordance with the latest edition of the city of Sedro-Woolley complete streets policy.

B.    Construction of and substantial improvements to public works including streets, sidewalks, and storm drains and utilities shall be in accordance with the latest edition of the Sedro-Woolley Public Works Department Standards, as promulgated by the director of public works.

C.    Construction of and substantial improvements to public works including streets, sidewalks, and storm mains shall be in accordance with stormwater management ordinance (Chapter 13.36) and stormwater maintenance ordinance (Chapter 13.40). (Ord. 1871-17 §§ 1, 2, 2017: Ord. 1855-16 § 12, 2016: Ord. 952 § 3, 1981)

15.40.040 Streets and sidewalks—Classifications.

The following classifications and standards applicable thereto are established for all streets, existing and future. Classification of specific streets shall be as stated in the comprehensive plan, transportation element, except that where such streets have not been so classified, classification shall be the responsibility of the director of public works.

A.    Other Principal Arterial. Other principal arterials consist of the major thoroughfares to, from, and through the city. As such, they are subject to the highest traffic volumes and speeds. Direct service to abutting properties is discouraged.

B.    Minor Arterials. Minor arterials serve the top hierarchy of traffic generators within the city, including the central business district, major industrial areas, major residential areas, and the high school. Secondary arterials provide direct as well as through service and form long continuous streets with strong linkage to the primary arterial system.

C.    Major Collector. Major collectors collect local traffic from abutting properties and from access streets and transmit it to the primary and secondary arterial system. At least, collector arterial service is usually needed for such traffic generators as apartment complexes, grade schools, churches and parks. Collector arterials need not be long or continuous.

D.    Local Access Streets. Local access streets provide direct access to abutting properties and may terminate in cul-de-sacs. Through traffic is discouraged. Most single-family residential streets are in this classification.

E.    Private Streets. Private streets may be allowed, as approved by the city, as an alternative to an access street or individual side-by-side driveways within a multifamily, commercial or industrial subdivision, binding site plan, or short plat, for access for up to six lots, in a residential subdivision, binding site plan, or short plat including single-family lots for access up to four single-family lots, and in the R-15 zone for zero side setback developments subject to the following conditions:

1.    The proposed street is not needed to create access to adjoining areas or properties beyond the lots being served, or for circulation as indicated in the city’s comprehensive plan.

2.    Owners of all lots served by the private road shall participate in the maintenance of the road through a private maintenance agreement approved by the city, said agreement to include certain provisions for maintenance, repairs and replacement as identified by the director of public works and shall be recorded at the Skagit County auditor’s office.

3.    The length of the road will not exceed three hundred feet, except where topographic features or shape of lot requires a longer road, and such road is approved by the city fire department.

4.    Appropriate provisions shall be made for fire access and maneuvering area.

5.    The road shall be improved in accordance with the standards adopted for private streets by the director of public works prior to approval of any subdivision, binding site plan, or planned unit development with access provided by the private road, and prior to a building permit being issued for any structure on lots with access provided by the private road; provided, the applicant may elect to substitute a bond equal to one hundred twenty percent of the cost of the improvements as determined by the city engineer in lieu of construction, to guarantee construction of the improvements prior to issuance of a building permit.

6.    Private streets shall not be allowed in a subdivision, binding site plan, or planned residential development, if the private street is intended to serve more than four single-family residential lots; provided, that nothing in this section shall prohibit private streets within a mobile or manufactured home park created under an approved binding site plan or for approved zero side setback developments in the R-15 zone. (Ord. 1871-17 § 3, 2017: Ord. 1603-08 § 1, 2008; Ord. 1486-04 § 1, 2004: Ord. 1248-95 § 1, 1995: Ord. 1105 § 1 (part), 1990; Ord. 952 § 4(A), 1981)

15.40.050 Streets and sidewalks—Required plans.

Construction of or substantial improvement to streets and sidewalks shall require engineering plans prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Sedro-Woolley Public Works Department Standards, current edition. (Ord. 1871-17 § 4, 2017: Ord. 1855-16 § 13, 2016: Ord. 952 § 4(B), 1981)

15.40.070 Storm sewers.

Construction of or substantial improvement requiring storm drainage improvements shall comply with the Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington, current edition, the Sedro-Woolley Public Works Department Standards, current edition, and Chapter 13.36, Stormwater Management, and Chapter 13.40, Stormwater Maintenance. (Ord. 1871-17 § 5, 2017: Ord. 1855-16 § 14, 2016: Ord. 952 § 5, 1981)

15.40.080 Streets and sidewalks—Cuts and restoration standards.

A.    The public works director shall establish standards for street and sidewalk cuts, excavations in the public right-of-way, and restoration standards for street and sidewalk cuts and for connections to public storm and sanitary sewers, which protect the public safety and provide for the restoration and preservation of the affected public works to their original standard. These standards shall be effective upon filing with the city clerk.

B.    The public works director shall base the standards developed pursuant to subsection A of this section on the most current Washington State Department of Transportation Standard Specifications, the standards of the American Public Works Association (APWA), and the practices generally accepted in the civil engineering field, for the effected public works.

C.    The public works director shall incorporate these standards into any permit or permission required for such improvements, including fill and grade permits and land development permits.

D.    The public works director shall prepare written rules, guidelines and instructions which shall be available to the public regarding the standards authorized by this section. (Ord. 1871-17 § 6 (part), 2017; Ord. 1486-04 § 3, 2004: Ord. 1360-00 § 1, 2000)

15.40.090 Streets and rights-of-way—Design approval required.

A.    All new public streets and rights-of-way shall be designed, constructed as provided in the regulations prepared by the public works director, and configured and located as approved by the public works director to allow convenient connection with present and planned adjoining streets, unless this decision is expressly delegated to another official or decision making body.

B.    Unless determined by the public works director to be unlikely to be needed for through access, all new public streets shall provide for public right-of-way across the entire length of a parcel being developed, to allow for convenient connection to future public rights-of-way on adjoining parcels.

C.    When the location of a public street right-of-way is an element of a land use action subject to a final decision by another official or decision making body, the decision and recommendation of the public works director as to the configuration and location of the public street shall be a recommendation which shall be given great weight by the deciding body or official. (Ord. 1871-17 § 6 (part), 2017; Ord. 1486-04 § 3, 2004: Ord. 1360-00 § 2, 2000)

15.40.100 Bicycle and pedestrian ways along transportation facilities.

Repealed by Ord. 1871-17. (Ord. 1676-10 § 1, 2010)